Los Angeles to Mono Vista is 337.9 miles and takes about 6 hours 42 minutes via Golden State Highway, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region of Southern California northeast towards the same region, though with a significant shift in terrain. Expect a mixed drive that's mostly highway, so it's a practical option if you need to cover ground efficiently. While it's possible to complete this trip in a single day, consider the 6h 42m duration and plan your departure accordingly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
169 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Golden State Highway
111.4 mi
2h
Golden State Freeway
62.4 mi
1h 9m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
La Grange Road
26.2 mi
38m
Northbound California State Route 99
22 mi
25m
CA 99
21.4 mi
24m
Snelling Highway
17.7 mi
26m
Hollywood Freeway
15.5 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Golden State Highway
— 111.4 mi, about 2h
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,770 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,589
Quietest
2 AM
~577 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and Mono Vista, CA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Broadway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 101 North, CA 110
4
Merge onto US 101
0.7 mi·55 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
5
Continue on US 101
15 mi·19 min·Hollywood Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·59 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
27 mi·30 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99
6.0 mi·6 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on CA 99
111 mi·2 hr·Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward Avenue 7Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CA 99
21 mi·24 min·CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto CA 99
22 mi·25 min·Northbound California State Route 99
Toward CA 99
18
Take the exit onto CA 59; CA 140
0.6 mi·1 min·CA 59; CA 140
Exit 188Toward CA 140 West, CA 59 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CA 59
0.2 mi·24 sec·V Street
20
Turn left onto CA 59
0.4 mi·32 sec·West 16th Street
21
Turn right onto CA 59
18 mi·26 min·Snelling Highway
22
Continue on CA 59; J16
387 ft·6 sec·La Grange Road
23
Continue on CA 59; J16
0.4 mi·40 sec·Merced Falls Road
24
Turn left onto J59
26 mi·38 min·La Grange Road
25
At end of road, turn right onto CA 108; CA 120
7.3 mi·9 min·CA 108; CA 120
26
Enter roundabout onto CA 49; CA 108
116 ft·2 sec·CA 49; CA 108
27
Continue on CA 49; CA 108
12 mi·17 min·CA 49; CA 108
28
Turn left onto Soulsbyville Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Soulsbyville Road
29
Arrive at destination
Soulsbyville Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour-plus drive time, consider an early morning departure from Los Angeles to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but it's wise to fuel up before leaving the Los Angeles area, as the longest stretch without a break is over 111 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during those longer highway segments, to avoid needing to search for services in less populated areas. Plan your single stop strategically for fuel, rest, or a quick meal.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 74 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mono Vista, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Los Angeles, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
This is one driving day of about 337.9 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Golden State Highway for about 111.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 273.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~28m in|I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 / Golden State Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
24.5 mi into trip|~31m in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
229.2 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward Avenue 7
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 144
Toward Avenue 7
8
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|CA 59; CA 140
Take the exit onto CA 59; CA 140 toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 188
Toward CA 140 West, CA 59 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.69 one way
$141.39 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$73.42
$146.84
premium
$5.67
$75.36
$150.72
diesel
$4.80
$63.80
$127.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.4
1
$35.48
$16.22
Efficient EV
84.5
0
$29.57
$13.52
EV Truck/SUV
135.2
1
$47.31
$21.63
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Morning
in Los Angeles on Monday
Local time
7:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Mono Vista, CA
Morning
in Mono Vista on Monday
Local time
7:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SSW 2 to 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 42m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 23.3
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 93.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by a mixed drive, with 53% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Golden State Highway and its freeway extensions, including I-5 Truck. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.4 miles on the Golden State Highway. This means there are significant segments where you'll be on faster, more direct routes, interspersed with other road types. Be prepared for periods of steady driving on these longer highway sections.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.4 mi on Golden State Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 337.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
3,389 ft196 ft
Total Climb
6,046 ft
Total Descent
3,349 ft
Highest Point
3,389 ft
~72.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,193 ft
Notable High Points
3,389 ft at ~72.4 miles+524 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Los Angeles, CA to Mono Vista, CA, road signs begin pointing toward Avenue 7 along the way.
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
•Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
•Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 337.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.4 miles on Golden State Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mono Vista, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (I 5 / Golden State Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and César E. Chávez National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mono Vista, CA before the return drive.
